Gary Bang
Gary Bang: The Pioneer of the Motorcycle Aftermarket Industry
Before there were glossy catalogs brimming with custom parts and accessories, before the explosion of Harley-Davidson custom shops and the rise of the aftermarket industry, there was Gary Bang—a man whose entrepreneurial vision transformed the landscape of motorcycling forever. Widely credited with creating the first-ever motorcycle aftermarket catalog, Gary’s journey from a teenage rider to a legendary figure in the motorcycle world is a story of passion, innovation, and a deep-rooted love for the open road.
The Early Years: From Cushman Scooter to Parts Man
Gary Bang’s love affair with motorcycles began in 1948, when his father, Elmer, bought him a Cushman Motor scooter. For a young boy growing up in California, it was the ultimate symbol of freedom, and it sparked a fascination that would shape his life. By 1954, Gary was already entrenched in the motorcycle world, working as a parts man at Kolbe Cycle in Reseda, CA. It was here, surrounded by racks of parts and shelves of accessories, that he began learning the intricacies of the business.
In 1965, Gary took his knowledge on the road as a traveling representative for MC Supply, gaining a firsthand understanding of the industry’s evolving needs. As he crisscrossed the country, one observation stood out: while the Midwest was thriving with custom motorcycle culture, California lagged behind. But instead of simply taking note, Gary decided to do something about it.
The Birth of a Business and a Revolution
In 1967, with a keen eye for opportunity and a deep knowledge of the market, Gary opened his first retail shop in a modest 1,200-square-foot building in Canoga Park, CA. He started by selling parts for popular brands like Triumph, along with his specialty: custom wheel building. “I had figured out how to cut and thread spokes, lace and true wheels, and sell fork slugs and sissy bars,” Bang recalls. With his knack for mechanics and an innovative spirit, Gary was already beginning to carve out a niche for himself.
As the 1970s rolled in, Gary saw a new trend emerging among young Harley-Davidson riders—they wanted to chop and customize their bikes. Yet, there was no centralized source for these enthusiasts to find the parts they needed. Once again, Gary seized the moment. He placed a small ad in Big Bike magazine announcing the availability of the first-ever Gary Bang Parts Catalog. Priced at just $1.00, it offered a lifeline to custom builders everywhere.
The response was overwhelming. “We got tons of calls,” Bang remembers. Within days, orders poured in from all over the country. For the first time, motorcycle enthusiasts had a single source for hard-to-find products, and Gary’s catalog became a bestseller. More than just a collection of parts, it represented a revolution for the custom motorcycle community. If Gary didn’t have what they were looking for, he knew where to find it—or he’d make it himself.
Building an Empire: From Small Shop to Warehouse Giant
Demand for his products skyrocketed, and what began in a small retail space quickly expanded into a sprawling operation. Bang’s shop grew from 1,200 square feet to a massive 50,000-square-foot warehouse. He opened additional locations, first in Georgia and then in Iowa, turning his burgeoning business into a national powerhouse. Gary’s vision extended beyond just selling parts—he created his own custom line, developed a broader product range, and even launched Gary Bang Clothing, bringing his signature style to motorcyclists across the country.
In 1982, his relationship with Harley-Davidson came full circle when he opened a Harley-Davidson retail store in Atascadero, CA. Always a strong advocate for the brand, Gary wanted to offer customers not only parts and accessories but also the iconic motorcycles themselves. This move solidified his status as a pillar of the Harley-Davidson community and ensured his legacy in the motorcycling world.
A Lasting Legacy
By 1996, after decades of success, Gary decided to step away from the aftermarket business, closing the doors of his renowned operation. Reflecting on his contributions to the industry, Gary remarked, “It has been a lot of fun. There are a million stories of what it was like in those days. But what I’ve done has been done before me and will be done again. The thing that I feel I was part of was bringing to the market a variety of products at a competitive price, with good service that was lacking at the time.”
Today, the Bang legacy lives on. Gary and his family continue to run Gary Bang Harley-Davidson in Atascadero, CA, where his wife Mary, daughters Kristy and Lisa, and granddaughter April all work to carry on the family tradition. His grandson, Ryan, is now following in his grandfather’s tire tracks, working in a dealership in Florida. It’s a family business, as Gary would have it no other way—because for the Bangs, motorcycles aren’t just a job; they’re a way of life.
Beyond Business: A Passion that Endures
Though Gary Bang may have retired from the hustle of the aftermarket world, his passion for motorcycling hasn’t faded. He’s seen firsthand how the industry has grown and changed, but his belief in the community and the joy of riding remains steadfast. From that first Cushman scooter in 1948 to creating a revolutionary catalog that shaped the custom scene, Gary Bang has lived and breathed motorcycles.
For countless riders, his impact is still felt today—each time they thumb through a parts catalog, walk into a dealership, or build a bike from the ground up. Gary Bang didn’t just sell parts; he made motorcycling dreams come true, one order at a time.